SiC Mobil: More energy efficiency in electric cars

Greater driving ranges and shorter charging times for electric vehicles (EVs) are the goal of a three-year research project “SiC Mobil” funded by the German federal government, which engineering partner IAV is implementing together with research partners FREQCON, BLOCK Transformatoren-Elektronik, Breuer Motoren and the University of Bremen with the Bremen Center for Mechatronics (BCM). In the process, the participating companies and institutions develop strategies for an optimized and cost-saving use of highly efficient silicon carbide (SiC) in order to use components even more effectively at higher temperatures and to improve the efficiency of EVs as well as the associated charging infrastructure. Influencing factors on the service life of power semiconductors are taken into account and monitored, too. At the same time, the effects of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) are included in the development. Our contribution is to co-develop a SiC power stack and provide an experimental platform.

In this context the traction converters, which convert direct current from the battery into alternating current for the electric machine, and in the charging station, which converts alternating current from the grid into direct current for the battery, the use of silicon carbide ensures that significantly less energy evaporates in the form of heat in the power electronics.

This research project aims to further increase the power density and efficiency of converters and thus contribute to greater efficiency in the mobile and stationary areas of e-mobility.